Residents sue governor over Henoko revocation

A group of Ginowan residents filed Tuesday a lawsuit with the Naha District Court against Governor Takashi Onaga, seeking to revoke the governor’s decision to revoke the landfill permit for the construction of the replacement facility for MCAS Futenma. The group also demands ¥120 million in damages.

In their suit the residents claims that Onaga’s decision would result the base to remain in its current location, and thus infringe on their right to peaceful life.

Governor Onaga has made it the centerpiece of his administration to block building the new base in the prefecture, insisting the base must be moved outside of Okinawa altogether in order to reduce the burden of the concentration of U.S. installations in the prefecture.

The group states in their suit that the revocation of the landfill permit amounts to the governor abusing his authority, as no legal irregularities regarding the previous governor’s approval of the permit has been proven.

“I’m asking the governor, are you urging citizens to shoulder further costs? If his answer is ‘no’ to the relocation to Henoko, he should come up with an alternative proposal,” former Ginowan Municipal Assembly member Tadao Henza, a representative of the plaintiffs told a news conference.

  • holyspiritchild

    “…no legal irregularities regarding the previous governor’s approval of the permit has been proven.”

    i’m not so sure. Their claims seem to be weak – weaker, in fact, as days go by. Here is why:

    (1) According to the most recent news uncovered and reported by Japan’s major news agency, we seem to have yet more reasons to suspect serious fraud in the selection, organization, and possibly the actual workings of the environmental monitoring committee that was put in place to fulfill the condition for Onaga’s predecessor Nakaima’s approval to give construction permit for a new US base in Henoko.(http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201510200072)

    (2) The legality of the Governor’s action was confirmed by a strong statement from the head of the Federation of Japanese Bar Associations (Murakoshi Susumu), by the Japan Civil Liberties Union, and by Okinawan legal specialists.
    (http://japanfocus.org/events/view/258)

    • rainwashed

      And yet your response has “seem”, “suspect”, and “possible”.

      • Tomamii

        @brainwashed but he is right. The claims are more then weak. About 12 angry LDP rightwingers sue the governor because he is doing his job – for a good story in the news. Fact and proven is already that the environmental monitoring committee is a bunch of bribe taking individuals that been acting just for the money not for “monitoring”. In your face, Abe & Suga, bad timing again. ( and there will be more for sure ! )

  • Michael K

    GREAT JOB!! I applaud these 12 people for forcing this Onaga nut into coming up with a back up plan instead of running his mouth about revoking permits! Shut him up and watch him scurry away cause he is only thinking about one thing; HIMSELF!

15:28 02 Nov , 2024